Moment of truth for great unsigned

The shortlist for The JD Set, the annual unsigned bands competition, has been announced. Twenty bands from around the country will compete to make it through to the final by performing in regional heats between February and April. The overall winners will be announced at Dublin’s Village venue on April 29th.

The victorious act will be mentored by Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess (who will also be a judge at the final). The winners also get studio time at Grouse Lodge, PR advice and will feature on a compilation CD.

Burgess, who visited Ireland last year to launch the competition, to encourage acts to register and to offer advice on the qualities the winning act should possess, said: “Passion in a band is key. I mean, you love what you’re doing and that should shine through.”

Monaghan band Sanzkrit are one of the acts looking to build on the momentum that their recent debut album kick-started. “Hopefully more people will hear our music, become fans of Sanzkrit and join us in our little musical journey,” said frontman Dave Marron, while last year’s winners We Cut Corners claimed that their victory provided a good “calling card” to promoters and radio stations over the past year.

The full list of bands, which includes The Dirty 9s, Cutaways and Mail Order Messiahs, can be seen at www.thejdset.ie.